jew-fish

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a name applied in New South Walesto two or more different species, Sciaena antarctica,Castln., and Glaucosoma hebraicum, Richards. Sciaenaantarctica, Castln., is the King-fish of the Melbournemarket. Sciaena is called Dew-fish in Brisbane. Itbelongs to the family Sciaenidae. The Australianspecies is distinct from S. aquila, the European «Maigre» or «Meagre,» but closely resembles it. Glaucosoma belongs to the Percidae. The SilverJew-fish of New South Wales is thought to be the same as the Teraglin (q.v.), Otolithus atelodus, Guenth.,also of the family Sciaeidae. Tenison Woods (in `Fishand Fisheries of New South Wales,' 1882, p. 34) says theJew-fish of New South Wales is sometimes Glaucosomascapulare, Ramsay; and Glaucosoma hebraicum,Richards., is the Jew-fish of Western Australia (a marinefish). Fishes on the American coasts, different from these,are there called Jew-fishes.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 40:

«The water-holes abounded with jew-fish and eels.»

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